der Strang
strand / cord
A long, flexible piece made of twisted or braided fibers, such as a rope, cord, or thick yarn.
EXAMPLE
Sie band das Paket mit einem dicken Strang zusammen.
She tied the package together with a thick cord.
der Strang
strand
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Meanings
der Strang
strand
A bundle of something long and thin, for example a strand of hair or a strand of DNA.
EXAMPLE
Der Genetiker analysierte einen einzelnen DNA-Strang unter dem Mikroskop.
The geneticist analyzed a single strand of DNA under the microscope.
an einem Strang ziehen
to pull together
A fixed expression that means to work together and in the same direction toward a goal; to stick together.
EXAMPLE
Wenn wir dieses Projekt erfolgreich abschließen wollen, müssen wir alle an einem Strang ziehen.
If we want to complete this project successfully, we all have to pull together.
der Strang
thread / storyline
A part of a larger development or narrative; a plotline in a book or film.
EXAMPLE
Der Autor verwebt in seinem Roman geschickt mehrere Erzählstränge miteinander.
In his novel, the author skillfully weaves several narrative threads together.
Usage tips
From concrete to abstract
The basic meaning of 'Strang' is a rope or cord. Many other meanings are derived from this: a 'Haarstrang' (strand of hair) is like a small rope made of hair, and a 'Handlungsstrang' (plotline) is like a thread running through a story.
EXAMPLE
Der Kriminalroman hat einen sehr komplexen Handlungsstrang.
The crime novel has a very complex plotline.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'an einem Strang ziehen' means to pull together and is very common. The wording is fixed and is always used with the verb 'ziehen' (to pull).
EXAMPLE
Im Team müssen alle an einem Strang ziehen, um erfolgreich zu sein.
In a team, everyone has to pull together in order to be successful.
Typical compounds
In the meaning of 'bundle', 'Strang' is often used as part of compound words. Common examples are 'Haarstrang' (strand of hair), 'DNA-Strang' (strand of DNA), or 'Wollstrang' (skein of wool).
EXAMPLE
Die Friseurin färbte mir eine einzelne rote Haarstrang.
The hairdresser dyed a single red strand of my hair.
Narratives and texts
When referring to stories, films, or novels, people often speak of a 'Handlungsstrang' (plotline) or 'Erzählstrang' (narrative thread). A book can also have 'mehrere Stränge' (several threads) that run in parallel.
EXAMPLE
Der Film hat so viele Erzählstränge, dass ich den Überblick verloren habe.
The film has so many narrative threads that I lost track.
Compare with
Strang vs faden
bland
In the meanings given here, faden and der Strang cannot be compared as terms for the same elongated object. Faden is an adjective for something bland or boring, while Strang refers to an elongated bundle or a strand of a developing story. Use faden for taste or impression and Strang for a bundle or a storyline.
Strang
Im Roman folgt die Autorin einem spannenden Strang der Geschichte.
In the novel, the author follows an exciting storyline.
faden
Der Tee schmeckte faden und wurde deshalb nicht ausgetrunken.
The tea tasted bland, so it was not finished.
In real life
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